Rs 162 cr to be utilised in 11 border districts of J&K during 2017-18

An amount of Rs 162 crore will be utilised during the current fiscal year to develop various sectors in 11 border districts of Jammu and Kashmir under Annual Action Plan (AAP) of the Border Area Development Programme (BADP).

An official spokesperson here this evening said that State Level Screening Committee on BADP headed by Chief Secretary B B Vyas today held a comprehensive review of the implementation of the programme in the State.He said the Committee finalized the list of schemes for implementation under BADP and approved the overall Annual Action Plan (AAP) of Rs 162 crore for the year 2017-18.This, he said, includes Rs 103 crore AAP for 11 border districts, Rs 25 crore AAP of the departments of Health, H&UD, PW (R&B) and PHE& I& FC, Rs 17 crore of Border Guarding Forces (BGF) and Rs 16 crore AAP for development of 27 ongoing and 14 new Model Villages.

He said the Committee also reviewed the progress of BADP works undertaken during 2016-17.

“BADP is a 100 per cent centrally funded programme and covers villages located close to the border. The main objective is to meet the special development needs of the people in border areas and to provide essential infrastructure through convergence of Central/State and BADP schemes,” he said.The programme is under implementation in 11 border districts of Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, Poonch, Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Shopian, Leh and Kargil. The Chief Secretary received brief from Deputy Commissioners (DCs) regarding ongoing and completed works under BADP with directions to ensure that projects taken up are phased in a manner, so as to ensure their completion within two-three years. He underscored the need to focus on convergence and dovetailing of BADP with other schemes to create productive assets in the border villages for the benefit of the people.